Van slogans too wicked for Lonely Planet

THEIR offensive slogans have been met with ongoing backlash from the local community.

But now the joke is on Wicked Campers.

The van rental firm has been axed from travel guide Lonely Planet's listings.

The guide book authors caved to consumer pressure and said their family-friendly approach to travel conflicted with Wicked's "humour".

With slogans such as "In every princess there is a little **** wanting to try it just once" and "Save a whale, harpoon a Jap", many have labelled the vans as sexist, racist and homophobic.

Numerous complaints have been highlighted in the Daily in the past year.

The bold move by Lonely Planet has the support of Coast holiday-makers and local government.

Brisbane couple Matt Gilmore and Katie Clark, camping at Cotton Tree, said while they did not have a problem with the slogans themselves, they were not something they would like their four children to see.

"I can see why people would find them offensive," Ms Clark said.

"Say someone (in a Wicked Camper) set up camp here and we had the kids ... they are old enough to read it and go 'what?'.

"They should be toned down."

"Their messages need to come under some form of legislation ... they could easily be regulated like outdoor advertising is."

Divisional councillor Jason O'Pray said there were alternative camper van hire companies people could use that were not offensive.

"The drive market is an incredible market for Sunshine Coast tourism," he said.

"But as a father of 10-year-old and seven-year-old girls I don't need to be explaining those sorts of things when you pull up at a set of lights.

"There's not even a thin line but a big, fat line between what's clever, funny and quirky and what's sexist, degrading and offensive."

On her way from Brisbane to the Coast for a family camping trip, Clare Novak spotted a Wicked Camper broken down.

With the slogan "Such is life" the irony of the situation was not lost on her.

While Ms Novak does not have a problem with slogans that inspire a laugh, she agreed in toning down their offensive messages.